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At their state convention the Democratic Party of Colorado included marijuana legalization as part of their new party platform. The platform supports Amendment 64, an initiative already on the ballot that would legalize, tax and regulate marijuana for the use by adults over the age of 21. The support of one of the state’s two major political parties should be an important boost to the campaign as it works to build support among voters before November.
The Colorado Democratic Party’s platforms includes:
17. Regulate and tax marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, limiting its use to those 21 and older. We support Amendment 64, the Initiative to regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.
While the party at its state convention approved a new platform that supports Amendment 64, the party spokesman wants to point out that it has not formally “endorsed” the amendment. Technically, only the party’s central committee can offer formal endorsements of amendments or candidates on behalf of the state party.
The Democratic Party of Colorado is simply reflecting the views and wishes of its base with this move. A PPP poll from December found that 64% of Democrats in Colorado think the use of marijuana should be legal, while only 26% of Democrats think it should be illegal. Nationally, a Gallup poll from last year found that 57% of Democrats nationwide believe the use of marijuana should be legal.
Having the support of a major party for an active campaign to legalize marijuana is more proof that the issue has gone mainstream. As more politicians and local political parties come out in support of the idea, it becomes easier and easier for other elected officials and groups to follow suit.
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Unfortunately, while the campaign to legalize pot has beneficial consequences in terms of the number of people arrested for use and sale, it is another example of “social” issue liberalism. Same for freedom of choice and LGBT equality. All of these issues give liberals and progressives something to feel good about while diverting attention from far more serious issues involving economic equality, fair taxation, and protection of basic civil liberties. So pardon me if I don’t get too excited over legalizing pot.
Don’t hold your breath on legalization, and not because as George Hansen (J. Nicholson) in Easy Rider said, “I mean it leads to harder stuff.” Rather, grass won’t become legal because there’s way too much money in it being illegal.
Opposing ongoing cannabis prohibition will obviously at some point be a political liability, but in a duopolistic system as long as both duopoly parties are on the same side of an issue there is no actual price to pay. But the tension builds as the polling data shifts; the early adopting party (and I am by no means convinced the Democrats will be first nationally) will have an electoral upside- and the Republicans stand to gain more than the Democrats as they will likely get more crossover effect. Most supporters of legalization will be in Democrat leaning demographics, and this means the Democrats have almost nothing to gain from supporting change- until the Republicans move first. Each party can safely ignore its base on issues where the other side offers no more satisfactory policies. Duopolies frequently function in counter-intuitive ways.
Are you suggesting that liberals want to legalize weed
INSTEAD of “economic equality, fair taxation, and protection of basic civil liberties”?
Are you suggesting liberals can’t legalize weed AND chew gum at the same time? If you don’t care about weed, don’t bore us with your conspiracy theories.
Its an issue of truth and justice, like all the issues from taxation, basic civil liberty, economic equality, etc. etc. etc..
Reform is happening. Slowly, painfully, but surely.
Look at the trend. Voting has been edging steadily closer to passing reform, with the latest being 46% in California.
People are sick of BS policies and gutless politicians. This and other issues will be moved by We The People, despite all the efforts to stop it.
There are lots of important issue that the democrat must concentrate and not on legalization of marijuana.